L.J. Smith, the writer of “The Vampire Diaries” books that were adapted into a television series on The CW, died March 8 at the age of 66. Smith’s partner, Julie Divola, and sister, Judy Clifford, confirmed the death to The New York Times.

Author L.J. Smith, who created the 'Vampire Diaries' otherwordly book series that inspired the CW drama of the same name, died this month. She was 66.

The New York Times bestselling author released the first three books in the Vampire Diaries series in 1991: The Awakening, The Struggle, and The Fury. The fourth book, Dark Reunio